Both the qualifying groups in the 2020-21 Fountain Trophies Senior Cup went to the final Saturday to decide who would make the final of the competition staged by the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League following the restart of grassroots football after lockdown.

In the North Group Pewsey Vale, who were three points ahead of today’s opponents Malmesbury Victoria Development and had scored four more goals, went into their final qualifying match knowing that they needed to avoid defeat by four or more clear goals to progress to the final. Pewsey were on top from the start but found Malmesbury keeper Macawley Brown in impressive form and it took until five minutes before the interval for them to break the deadlock. Cameron McKenzie, in a one-on-one with a Malmesbury defender out muscled his opponent to run clear and fire in under the body of Brown to make it 1-0 to Pewsey. Pewsey then struck just before the half time whistle to remove any doubt as to who would be progressing to the final, although the goal had an element of good fortune about it. What looked a cross from Ryan Thomas somehow ended up in the back of the net to make it 2-0 to the home side. The second half saw Brown in the Malmesbury goal continue to deny Pewsey further goals, but he was finally beaten again on the hour mark when, following a save by Brown, the rebound fell to James Turner who fired in to make it 3-0 to Pewsey. There were to be no more goals after that mainly due to the fine display of the Malmesbury keeper. So, it is Pewsey who next week will travel to the Southbank Ground, the traditional home of the Senior Cup, with 25 of the last 26 finals being staged at Corsham. As a result of today's defeat Malmesbury slipped to third place in the group standings, with Devizes Town Reserves finishing as runners-up to Pewsey Vale in the North Group.

In the South Group Corsham Town Reserves went into their final game against nearest rivals Odd Down Reserves unbeaten and knowing that they needed to avoid a defeat by five or more clear goals to progress to the final. Their double figure score in their game against Ludgershall had given them a massive advantage over the young Odd Down side who have been an excellent addition to the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League this season. When the two sides met at the start of the season in the league they had been involved in a high scoring draw, the two sides sharing six goals and the points. In the Fountain Trophies Senior Cup Odd Down certainly gave Corsham their toughest game to date in the competition, taking the lead through James Horrocks on 55 minutes. Odd Down continued to push for more goals, but they were unable to add to their total due to some resolute defending by the home side. Just as it looked like the group would be decided on goal difference only, substitute Adam Mitchell fired in a last-minute equaliser for Corsham to rob Odd Down of the victory and make the final score 1-1. Mitchell's goal was his ninth of the season and maintained Corsham’s unbeaten run in the competition ahead of next week’s final on their own ground. Odd Down have the consolation of second place finish in the group, just pipping fellow Somerset based side Frome Collegians.

The other scheduled game between Trowbridge Town and Melksham Town Reserves was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Woodmarsh.

Corsham Town Res v Odd Down Res

Pictures taken by John Cuthbertson

22 May 2021